Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 6849 msfocusmagazine.org Researchers suggest antihistamine has remyelinating potential In a new study involving multiple sclerosis patients with chronic optic neuropathy, researchers found that clemastine fumarate, a common antihistamine used to treat symptoms of allergies and the common cold, partiallyreversed damage to thevisual system. The findings were presented at the American Academyof Neurology’s 68th annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada. Thrower – This study is exciting for several reasons. Neural repair, wherein damage in the central nervous system can be fixed and the patient experiences a reversal of disability, is the one of the ultimate goals of MS research. The identification of clemastine as a drug that might potentially result in myelin repair is the result of a relativelynewscreening process. Using tiny artificial columns wrapped in myelin, researchers at UCSF are screening more than 1,000 FDA-approved drugs for their potential to repair damage in the central nervous system. This micropillar technology has sped up the identification of potential treatments like clemastine. The good news with clemastine in this small study is that it appeared to restore lost nerve conduction in the optic nerve. Further, larger studies will determine whether these results are real and result in a meaningful improvement in disability. Research will also confirm that the high doses of clemastine given in this small trial are tolerable and safe. Stay tuned! Researchers say yoga, aquatic exercise help reduce MS symptoms A new study of women with MS who are treated with a standard disease-modifying therapy suggests exercise training programs such as yoga and aquatic exercise positively affect fatigue, depression, and paresthesia. The authors claim that exercise training programs should be considered in the future as possible complements to standard treatments. The findings were published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Thrower – It’s hard to imagine a time when people with MS were actually discouraged from exercising. We know now that not only is exercise tolerated by people with MS, but also there are numerous benefits. However, challenges remain. For a person with possible fatigue, weakness, incoordination, mobility issues, and heat sensitivity, the hurdles for getting regular exercise can seem daunting. But, as this studyshowed, common symptoms like fatigue, depression and tingling all improved with yoga and aquatics programs. People with MS and their families need to know there is not a “best” exercise. The most Medicine & Research Doctor’s Notes The MS News column includes analysis from Ben Thrower, M.D., MS Focus Senior Medical Advisor. Dr. Thrower draws from the top news stories of the quarter and explains what the news means to you, the person with MS.